Rowcroft nurses receive outstanding royal accolade

Rowcroft Hospice is delighted to announce that two of its dedicated nurses, Barbara Argent and Jane Butland, have been awarded the prestigious title of Queen’s Nurse.

This highly respected accolade recognises excellence in community nursing and is awarded to professionals who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to patient care, learning, and leadership.

Barbara and Jane join the hospice’s three existing Queen’s Nurses—Karenne Weaver, Angelina Blair, and Vicky Bartlett—who have held the title for several years. Both nurses earned this honour through their unwavering dedication to improving patient care and their passion for community nursing.

Barbara, who was recognised for her continued patient-centred approach, particularly with patients at the end of life, shared her gratitude: “At Rowcroft, we focus on putting patients and their families at the heart of everything we do. Being awarded the title of Queen’s Nurse is a proud moment for me, and I’m so grateful for the trust and support from my colleagues, managers, and especially the families we care for.”

The Queen’s Nurse application process is rigorous, requiring applicants to provide detailed evidence of their professional practice, along with feedback from managers, patients, and families. Applicants must also demonstrate extensive experience in palliative and community care.

Karenne Weaver, Rowcroft’s Head of Community and Hospice at Home, who has held the Queen’s Nurse title for three years, said: “It’s inspiring to see Barbara and Jane receive this recognition. They both bring so much passion and expertise to their work. Being a Queen’s Nurse is not only about excellence in nursing; it’s about empathy, compassion, and striving to improve care for everyone. At Rowcroft, we’re proud of the work we do and the difference we make in people’s lives.”

Rowcroft’s Queen’s Nurses represent a diverse range of roles, from frontline care to senior leadership and executive management. 

This breadth of expertise across different roles ensures that the ethos of compassionate, high-quality care is embedded throughout the organisation. 

Having Queen’s Nurses involved in decision-making and leadership means that the voices of those with direct patient experience are helping to shape the hospice’s strategic direction.

In addition to its five Queen’s Nurses, Rowcroft also has a group of nine nurse prescribers, with a further two nurses undertaking this training. These professionals have the authority to prescribe medications, supporting the nursing team to maintain high levels of responsiveness, particularly in out-of-hours care, and ensuring that patients’ needs are met whenever they arise. 

Rowcroft CEO Mark Hawkins praised the latest achievements, saying: “Having two more of our nurses recognised with the Queen’s Nurse award is a testament to the extraordinary professionalism and dedication that our team brings to their work every day. Jane and Barbara have demonstrated unwavering commitment to their patients and the wider community, and we are so proud of them.

“It’s a phenomenal achievement for Rowcroft to now have five Queen’s Nurses within our team. For a hospice of our size, this is quite remarkable. These awards are not just individual accolades—they represent the collective effort and commitment of the whole team to delivering outstanding, patient-centred care. It highlights that our hospice is a centre of excellence, where patients receive the highest level of care, supported by professionals who go above and beyond to ensure dignity, compassion, and expert clinical support for those at the end of life.”

This recognition comes at a challenging time for hospices across the UK, as funding issues threaten the sustainability of care nationwide. Rowcroft faces significant financial pressures, including rising costs, stalled funding, a national decline in charitable giving, and increasing demand for end-of-life care services. These challenges underscore the urgent need for community support to sustain the hospice’s vital services.

To find out how you can support Rowcroft Hospice, visit: www.rowcrofthospice.org.uk